During the first quarter of 2026, and in March 2026, the Volkswagen Group was again the largest car producer in Europe (European Union, EFTA, and UK), followed by Stellantis and Renault. Despite weaker sales, VW remained the top-selling brand in Europe, while strong sales moved Skoda into the second place for the first time ever. The Renault Clio was the best-selling car model in Europe during 2026 Q1 while the Tesla Model Y was Europe’s favourite car model in March 2026. The European new car market expanded by 4.1% to 3 521 110 cars in the first quarter of 2026, with all-electric car sales taking a record 20.6% market share.

Škoda Auto in second place
Škoda Auto has recorded a strong start to 2026, emerging as Europe’s second best-selling car brand during the first quarter, supported by robust demand, expanding electric vehicle adoption and solid financial performance. Between January and March 2026, the company delivered 271 900 vehicles worldwide, reflecting a 14 per cent year-on-year increase. In Europe, deliveries rose 17.1 per cent to 222 500 vehicles, significantly outpacing overall market growth. March marked the highest monthly delivery volume in the company’s history in the region, with over 90 000 vehicles delivered.

The strong performance was driven in part by growing demand for electric vehicles. Models such as the Elroq and Enyaq featured prominently among Europe’s top-selling battery electric vehicles, contributing to a near doubling of global BEV deliveries. Electrified vehicles accounted for more than a quarter of total deliveries in Europe during the quarter, underscoring the company’s progress in its transition towards sustainable mobility.

The company also reported growth in key international markets. In India, deliveries increased to 17 400 vehicles, while North African markets such as Morocco and Egypt recorded strong gains.

Škoda Auto is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group. The Czech automaker joined the Volkswagen family in 1991.